Inaugural Gathering of Mabel Area Promoters

The Mabel Area Promoters held its first annual membership meeting, hosted at Joe’s Pizza Palace and Pub in Mabel on January 20, 2024.

President Jessi Jablonski presided over the meeting, commencing at 6:37 p.m. She disclosed that the Mabel Business Association (MBA) voted to dismantle the association and undergo a rebranding process, resulting in evolution of the Mabel Area Promoters. She said, “This will help with a whole lot of things that we talked about at that meeting. We are keeping our non-profit status so we can continue to help out all the different areas of the community that we help with, the high school, Steam Engine Days, and all those other things. But we think we should update ourselves a little bit and bring ourselves into 2024.”

Its membership application states that the purpose of the Mabel Area Promoters is to promote the best interests of this community.

Jablonski thanked everyone for attending the membership meeting and helping make 2023 a “super awesome year. When I took over as president for the MBA, my goal was to make Mabel 10% more awesome than it was. Not sure it can be measured, but I am pretty sure we got there.”

The Mabel Area Promoters will focus on the event and the community. Everyone “who would love to volunteer for events in our community” is encouraged to join.

The Mabel Area Promoters will continue to organize the annual membership party, golden age dinner, flower baskets on Main Street, Spring into Mabel, citywide garage sales, community night out, preschool trick or treating at businesses, shop local on Small Business Saturday, holiday drawings, and lunch with Santa.

Jablonski reported on the success of Santa Day, highlighting the distribution of over 150 gift bags, 49 letters to Santa, and the participation of 57 families in the family fun wagon ride and elf hunt. The event raised $2,100, with total expenses amounting to $2,999.59. Janet Sanden added that there were so many kids that Balloons by Kevin stayed an extra 45 minutes to ensure that all kids received a balloon.

The decision to place 2024 ads in the Visit Bluff Country Magazine and Driftless Journal Visitors Guide was deferred until the February meeting.

President Jablonski announced that she would be stepping down as president but would be willing to serve as treasurer since long-time treasurer LeAnn Wickett was stepping down. The 2024 officers are President Matt Swenson, Vice President Kathy Peterson, Treasurer Jessi Jablonski, and Secretary Janet Sanden.

Marcia Johnson, a Fillmore County Fair board member, sought support for the fair, scheduled for July 15-20, 2024, in Preston. The sponsorship levels are $1,000, $500, $250, and $100.

There was a lot of discussion regarding the Hesper-Mabel Steam Engine Days events, its organizational structure, and finances. The membership voted to continue the association’s involvement, with three members representing the Mabel Area Promoters at an upcoming executive committee meeting on January 24. The Hesper-Mabel Historical Society, Toot & Whistle Clubs, and the Mabel Lions Club will be asked to send three members to serve on the executive committee.

If you want to join the Mabel Area Promoters, contact Janet Sanden at (507) 493-5078 or Jessi Jablonski at theplantlandmn@gmail.com. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Legion.